Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Grounded ore-carrier LIVANITA begins unloading some of her cargo into coasters

Newspaper Edition Friday 2^nd October 1964

Bid to free grounded ship in the Clyde

The task of freeing the Norwegian iron-ore carrier LIVANITA which grounded in the Clyde on Tuesday with a 23,400-ton cargo, is to be undertaken by the Liverpool and Glasgow Salvage Association, it was stated yesterday after a meeting of officials of the Association, the Clyde Trust and the Clyde Pilotage Authority.

   No official statement has been made as to the cause of the grounding.

   A diver yesterday found the ship holed in two places in the forward tanks.   In an effort to lighten the bow, and because part of the damage is masked by the cargo, up to 4,000 tons of ore will be unloaded during the next few days.

   Unloading should have begun yesterday morning, but was delayed by fog.   By late afternoon, however, two excavators, with grab equipment, supplied by a local firm, were on board the LIVANITA.   The ore will be deposited in four coasters for transit to Rothesay Dock, Glasgow.   Operations are expected to begin this morning.

   After her load is lightened the LIVANITA will be towed to King George V Dock.   The Liverpool and Glasgow Salvage Association’s vessel DISPENSER (775 gross tons) was reported to have left Liverpool for Glasgow last night.

   Fog also delayed the up-river passage of six ships from the Tail of the Bank, but by late afternoon the MEMPHIS, CITY OF COVENTRY, AUTOMEDON and PRINS FREDERIK HENDRIK were able to dock at Port Glasgow.   If the weather clears this morning three ships held up at Greenock will go up-river.

   Last night the CAIRNFORTH (8105 tons) bound for the United States, the CLAN FRASER (9292 tons) for India, and the CLAN MACLENNAN (6366 tons) with a general cargo for Ceylon, were allowed to sail.